Methods and apparatus for providing alternate media for video decoders

ABSTRACT

A system provides programming and advertising to a video decoder such as a digital video recorder, computer system, software or hardware player, etc. When a user makes a request to skip a commercial by issuing a command such as 30 second skip forward, alternate media is provided. In some examples, an image advertisement is provided for a predetermined period of time either during the commercial break or when regular programming resumes. In other examples, a substitute commercial is shown. The substitute commercial may be shortened or compressed. The alternate media may be perceptually encoded in a video stream, hidden in a video stream, or provided in a separate stream. In some examples, survey based and neuro-response based data is used to evaluate and select alternate media for particular programming.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/357,315, titled “Methods and Apparatus for Providing Alternate Media for Video Decoders,” filed Jan. 21, 2009, which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to providing alternate media, such as a different commercials or advertisements, for video played on devices such as video recorders, computer systems, hardware and software players, set top boxes, etc.

BACKGROUND

A variety of conventional systems are available for delivering and manipulating video. In some instances, personal video recorders or digital video recorders store video and audio to allow user playback and/or manipulation of the video. A user may fast forward, rewind, skip forward, and/or play video back at varying speeds. Computing systems may also hold video in memory that allows playback and manipulation of the video.

Although a variety of video delivery and manipulation mechanisms are available, the ability to provide alternate media is limited. Consequently, it is desirable to provide improved methods and apparatus for presenting alternate media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate particular example embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a system for providing alternate media in a video recorder system.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a video with commercial breaks.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a series of video frames.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a series of video frames.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a system for analyzing alternate media.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a technique for providing alternate media.

FIG. 7 illustrates one example of technique for performing data analysis for video.

FIG. 8 provides one example of a system that can be used to implement one or more mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to some specific examples of the invention including the best modes contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will be described in the context of particular types of video and video players. However, it should be noted that the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention apply to a variety of different types of video and video players. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, a system uses a processor in a variety of contexts. However, it will be appreciated that a system can use multiple processors while remaining within the scope of the present invention unless otherwise noted. Furthermore, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe a connection between two entities. It should be noted that a connection between two entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities may reside between the two entities. For example, a processor may be connected to memory, but it will be appreciated that a variety of bridges and controllers may reside between the processor and memory. Consequently, a connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted.

Overview

A system provides programming and advertising to a video decoder such as a digital video recorder, computer system, software or hardware player, etc. When a user makes a request to skip a commercial by issuing a command such as 30 second skip forward, alternate media is provided. In some examples, an image advertisement is provided for a predetermined period of time either during the commercial break or when regular programming resumes. In other examples, a substitute commercial is shown. The substitute commercial may be shortened or compressed. The alternate media may be perceptually encoded in a video stream, hidden in a video stream, or provided in a separate stream. In some examples, survey based and neuro-response based data is used to evaluate and select alternate media for particular programming.

Example Embodiments

Conventional video decoders included in devices such as personal video recorders, digital video recorders, televisions, hardware and software players, and computer systems allow viewers to skip over content using mechanisms such as fast forward and 30 second skip forward. Viewers are particularly keen on skipping over commercial and advertising content. However, having a large number of viewers skipping over commercial and advertising content decreases the value of commercial and advertising content for programming, leading to decreased revenue for content providers and other parties. This in turn creates a disincentive to provide programming supported by commercial and advertising content.

As commercial skipping becomes more prevalent, the techniques of the present invention recognize that it is useful to provide advertisers, content providers, and service providers with a mechanism for introducing alternate advertising and commercial content to viewers. According to various embodiments, a receiver would introduce an image or logo associated with a commercial when the commercial is skipped. The image or logo may be displayed for a predetermined period of time.

However, there is still a substantial decrease in the value of the commercial slot, as the image or logo may be significantly less effective than the full length commercial. Consequently, the techniques of the present invention provide alternate commercials to a video recorder. According to various embodiments, alternate commercials and advertisements of varying length are stored on a device. When a viewer attempts to skip over an advertisement during a commercial break, the device provides an alternate advertisement. For example, when a viewer attempts to skip over a home furnishings commercial, an alternate restaurant commercial may be displayed instead. In particular embodiments, when the viewer attempts to skip over the restaurant commercial, an alternate beverage commercial may be displayed.

If a commercial break originally includes three commercials, the device may require that three commercials be viewed in their entirety before regular programming continues. Alternatively, if a commercial break is two minutes, the device may require viewing of two minutes of commercials total. This allows viewers to select which commercials they would like to watch and to skip over those that are not interesting. Viewers are provided with some choice in what they decide to view. Content providers can still generate revenue by providing high value, selected advertising.

In other embodiments, a request to skip forward over a commercial will play a shortened version of the commercial that still elicits similar neurological and neurophysiological responses from a viewer. In still other embodiments, a request to skip forward over a commercial will result in an advertisement being shown or an image being shown when regular programming resumes.

Alternate media may be provided in the same video stream in a hidden or embedded format. In other embodiments, alternate media may be provided on a different channel or at a different time to a device. Any device capable of receiving video and playing video can be used. Examples include personal video recorders, digital video recorders, computer systems, hardware and software players, televisions, etc. According to various embodiments, recorders and players need to be modified so that replacement commercials can be selected and displayed.

The techniques and mechanisms of the present invention also optionally provide a neuro-response analyzer to determine the effectiveness of alternate media. The system may also determine what type of alternate media to provide and how to provide the alternate media.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a system for providing alternate media to a video recorder. In particular embodiments, a video library 111 provides video to a video recorder receiver 123. An alternate media library 121 also provides media to a video recorder receiver 123. The alternate media library 121 may include images, commercials, advertisements, logos, etc. and may deliver media to the video recorder receiver 123 on the same channel the video library 111 uses or may use a different channel. In some instances, content providers send both video and alternate media to the video recorder receiver 123. According to various embodiments, alternate media is embedded in a video stream and shown when a skip forward command is issued. In other embodiments, alternate media is hidden in a video stream and shown when any fast forward type command is issued during a commercial break.

The alternate media library 121 and the video library 111 may send data to the video recorder receiver 123 at the same or different times. According to various embodiments, an alternate media library 121 is sending alternate media to a video recorder receiver 123 when a viewer is not using the video recorder. Although a video library 111 and an alternate media library 121 are shown, in some examples, video and alternate media may be provided from another source, such as a live feed or a satellite feed. According to various embodiments, the video and alternate media are stored at the video recorder using alternate media storage 125 and live program storage 131. In some examples, both video and alternate media are buffered on a disk or memory associated with a video recorder.

A processor 133 accesses the alternate media and the video as necessary to provide to a display 135. According to various embodiments, the processor 133 provides video to the display 135 until the processor 133 receives a skip request such as a skip forward or fast forward request from a viewer during a commercial break. In particular embodiments, the processor 133 provides alternate media such as an image or logo in place of the skipped commercial. The image may be displayed for a predetermined period of time. In other examples, the processor 133 provides an alternate commercial when a commercial is skipped.

The alternate commercial may relate to a different subject matter than the skipped commercial. In other embodiments, a skip request such as a 30 second skip forward or a fast forward request brings up a menu showing several different alternative advertisements that a viewer may select. It is recognized that viewers may be more willing to watch commercials if they have some choice in which commercials they watch. According to various embodiments, a processor 133, requires that three commercials be viewed in full during a commercial break.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a video and an alternate media stream. A video includes programming 201 and 221 interrupted with three default commercials 211, 213, and 215. If a viewer issues a command such as a skip forward command, a video recorder may enforce a policy that the viewer needs to view at least three alternate commercials or images from a pool of alternate media 231, 233, 235, 237, and 243. Alternate media may include substitute commercials, overlay images, graphics, logos, purchase offers, etc. Alternate media can also vary in length. In some examples, alternate media is merely an image displayed while material is being skipped. In particular embodiments, a video player only allows a certain number of skips before commercial viewing is required.

According to various embodiments, alternate media is introduced in place of regular video or is a partial screen or full screen overlay on video frames. The alternate media may be blended with video. In particular embodiments, the alternate media is a fully or partially opaque overlay on video frames. In some examples, making skip requests during a commercial break will introduce a banner type advertisement that is displayed during program 221. The screen for showing the video program may be reduced while the banner type advertisement is displayed. According to various embodiments, if a viewer skips commercials 211, 213, and 215, during a commercial break, company logos associated with the skipped commercials 211, 213, and 215 are displayed for a predetermined period of time during viewing of program 221. The logos may be obtained from alternate media 231, 233, 235, 237, and 243.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a sequence of video frames and alternate media frames. According to various embodiments, video frames 311, 313, 315, 317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, and 333 include information indicating whether the frame shows program content, commercial content, or other content. Alternate media includes a series of frames 341, 343, 345, 347, 351, and 353. In some examples, the alternate media may be a series of video frames used to replace frames shown during a commercial break. However, alternate media may also be images, logos, banners, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a sequence of encoded video frames and alternate media frames. Many video encoding mechanisms include different types of frames. According to various embodiments, frames include intra-coded frames (I-frames), predicted frames (P-frames), and bi-predictive frames (B-frames). I-frames provide substantially all of the data needed to present a full picture. On the other hand, P-frames and B-frames provide information about differences between the predictive frame and an I-frame. Predictive frames such as B-frames and P-frames are smaller and more bandwidth efficient than I-frames.

According to various embodiments, frames sequences 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, and 433 include I-frames 411, 419, 425, and 433. The frame sequence also includes predictive frames including P-frames 413, 417, 421, 423, and 427 as well as B-frames 415, 429, and 431. Alternate media includes I-frame 441 and P-frames 443 and 445.

A variety of survey based and neuro-response based mechanisms can be used to determine the effectiveness of alternate media. Using feedback from survey based and/or neuro-response based mechanisms allows adjustment of alternate media presentation. For example, survey based and/or neuro-response mechanisms may determine that alternate media is more effectively provided as logos played during regular programming. Survey based and/or neuro-response mechanisms may also be used to select what alternate media commercials would be most appropriate for particular programs.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a system for evaluating alternate media using central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and/or effector measures. According to various embodiments, the alternate media system includes a stimulus presentation device 501. In particular embodiments, the stimulus presentation device 501 is merely a display, monitor, screen, etc., that displays stimulus material to a user. Continuous and discrete modes are supported. According to various embodiments, the stimulus presentation device 501 also has protocol generation capability to allow intelligent customization of stimuli provided to multiple subjects in different markets.

According to various embodiments, stimulus presentation device 501 could include devices such as televisions, cable consoles, computers and monitors, projection systems, display devices, speakers, tactile surfaces, etc., for presenting the video from different networks, local networks, cable channels, syndicated sources, websites, internet content aggregators, portals, service providers, etc.

According to various embodiments, the subjects 503 are connected to data collection devices 505. The data collection devices 505 may include a variety of neuro-response measurement mechanisms including neurological and neurophysiological measurements systems. According to various embodiments, neuro-response data includes central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data.

Some examples of central nervous system measurement mechanisms include Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Electroencephalography (EEG). fMRI measures blood oxygenation in the brain that correlates with increased neural activity. However, current implementations of fMRI have poor temporal resolution of few seconds. EEG measures electrical activity associated with post synaptic currents occurring in the milliseconds range. Subcranial EEG can measure electrical activity with the most accuracy, as the bone and dermal layers weaken transmission of a wide range of frequencies. Nonetheless, surface EEG provides a wealth of electrophysiological information if analyzed properly.

Autonomic nervous system measurement mechanisms include Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), pupillary dilation, etc. Effector measurement mechanisms include Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, facial emotion encoding, reaction time etc.

According to various embodiments, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention intelligently blend multiple modes and manifestations of precognitive neural signatures with cognitive neural signatures and post cognitive neurophysiological manifestations to more accurately allow assessment of alternate media. In some examples, autonomic nervous system measures are themselves used to validate central nervous system measures. Effector and behavior responses are blended and combined with other measures. According to various embodiments, central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector system measurements are aggregated into a measurement that allows definitive evaluation stimulus material

In particular embodiments, the data collection devices 505 include EEG 511, EOG 513, and GSR 515. In some instances, only a single data collection device is used. Data collection may proceed with or without human supervision.

The data collection device 505 collects neuro-response data from multiple sources. This includes a combination of devices such as central nervous system sources (EEG), autonomic nervous system sources (GSR, EKG, pupillary dilation), and effector sources (EOG, eye tracking, facial emotion encoding, reaction time). In particular embodiments, data collected is digitally sampled and stored for later analysis. In particular embodiments, the data collected could be analyzed in real-time. According to particular embodiments, the digital sampling rates are adaptively chosen based on the neurophysiological and neurological data being measured.

In one particular embodiment, the alternate media system includes EEG 511 measurements made using scalp level electrodes, EOG 513 measurements made using shielded electrodes to track eye data, GSR 515 measurements performed using a differential measurement system, a facial muscular measurement through shielded electrodes placed at specific locations on the face, and a facial affect graphic and video analyzer adaptively derived for each individual.

In particular embodiments, the data collection devices are clock synchronized with a stimulus presentation device 501. In particular embodiments, the data collection devices 505 also include a condition evaluation subsystem that provides auto triggers, alerts and status monitoring and visualization components that continuously monitor the status of the subject, data being collected, and the data collection instruments. The condition evaluation subsystem may also present visual alerts and automatically trigger remedial actions. According to various embodiments, the data collection devices include mechanisms for not only monitoring subject neuro-response to stimulus materials, but also include mechanisms for identifying and monitoring the stimulus materials. For example, data collection devices 505 may be synchronized with a set-top box to monitor channel changes. In other examples, data collection devices 505 may be directionally synchronized to monitor when a subject is no longer paying attention to stimulus material. In still other examples, the data collection devices 505 may receive and store stimulus material generally being viewed by the subject, whether the stimulus is a program, a commercial, printed material, or a scene outside a window. The data collected allows analysis of neuro-response information and correlation of the information to actual stimulus material and not mere subject distractions.

According to various embodiments, the alternate media system also includes a data cleanser and analyzer device 521. In particular embodiments, the data cleanser and analyzer device 521 filters the collected data to remove noise, artifacts, and other irrelevant data using fixed and adaptive filtering, weighted averaging, advanced component extraction (like PCA, ICA), vector and component separation methods, etc. This device cleanses the data by removing both exogenous noise (where the source is outside the physiology of the subject, e.g. a phone ringing while a subject is viewing a video) and endogenous artifacts (where the source could be neurophysiological, e.g. muscle movements, eye blinks, etc.).

The artifact removal subsystem includes mechanisms to selectively isolate and review the response data and identify epochs with time domain and/or frequency domain attributes that correspond to artifacts such as line frequency, eye blinks, and muscle movements. The artifact removal subsystem then cleanses the artifacts by either omitting these epochs, or by replacing these epoch data with an estimate based on the other clean data (for example, an EEG nearest neighbor weighted averaging approach).

According to various embodiments, the data cleanser and analyzer device 521 is implemented using hardware, firmware, and/or software.

The data analyzer portion uses a variety of mechanisms to analyze underlying data in the system to determine resonance. According to various embodiments, the data analyzer customizes and extracts the independent neurological and neuro-physiological parameters for each individual in each modality, and blends the estimates within a modality as well as across modalities to elicit an enhanced response to the presented stimulus material. In particular embodiments, the data analyzer aggregates the response measures across subjects in a dataset.

According to various embodiments, neurological and neuro-physiological signatures are measured using time domain analyses and frequency domain analyses. Such analyses use parameters that are common across individuals as well as parameters that are unique to each individual. The analyses could also include statistical parameter extraction and fuzzy logic based attribute estimation from both the time and frequency components of the synthesized response.

In some examples, statistical parameters used in a blended effectiveness estimate include evaluations of skew, peaks, first and second moments, distribution, as well as fuzzy estimates of attention, emotional engagement and memory retention responses.

According to various embodiments, the data analyzer may include an intra-modality response synthesizer and a cross-modality response synthesizer. In particular embodiments, the intra-modality response synthesizer is configured to customize and extract the independent neurological and neurophysiological parameters for each individual in each modality and blend the estimates within a modality analytically to elicit an enhanced response to the presented stimuli. In particular embodiments, the intra-modality response synthesizer also aggregates data from different subjects in a dataset.

According to various embodiments, the cross-modality response synthesizer or fusion device blends different intra-modality responses, including raw signals and signals output. The combination of signals enhances the measures of effectiveness within a modality. The cross-modality response fusion device can also aggregate data from different subjects in a dataset.

According to various embodiments, the data analyzer also includes a composite enhanced effectiveness estimator (CEEE) that combines the enhanced responses and estimates from each modality to provide a blended estimate of the effectiveness. In particular embodiments, blended estimates are provided for each exposure of a subject to stimulus materials. The blended estimates are evaluated over time to assess resonance characteristics. According to various embodiments, numerical values are assigned to each blended estimate. The numerical values may correspond to the intensity of neuro-response measurements, the significance of peaks, the change between peaks, etc. Higher numerical values may correspond to higher significance in neuro-response intensity. Lower numerical values may correspond to lower significance or even insignificant neuro-response activity. In other examples, multiple values are assigned to each blended estimate. In still other examples, blended estimates of neuro-response significance are graphically represented to show changes after repeated exposure.

According to various embodiments, a data analyzer passes data to a resonance estimator that assesses and extracts resonance patterns. In particular embodiments, the resonance estimator determines entity positions in various stimulus segments and matches position information with eye tracking paths while correlating saccades with neural assessments of attention, memory retention, and emotional engagement. In particular embodiments, the resonance estimator stores data in the priming repository system. As with a variety of the components in the system, various repositories can be co-located with the rest of the system and the user, or could be implemented in remote locations.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a technique for providing alternate media. At 601, video is received. According to various embodiments, video is received over a variety of different media in a real-time or a time-delayed manner. Video may be received over satellite, cable, wireless networks, wired networks, physical media, etc. At 603, alternate media is received. According to various embodiments, the alternate media is received on the same channel and medium as the video. However, it is recognized that alternate media may be received on different channels, different media, and/or different time slots. In some examples, alternate media is received when a video recorder or other video player is not being used.

At 605, alternate media is maintained. Alternate media may be maintained on persistent storage such as disks or temporary storage such as memory buffers. At 609, video is provided to a user in real-time or a time-delayed manner. According to various embodiments, video is displayed using a system that allows user requests, such as skip forward, fast forward, and rewind requests. At 611, a skip request is received during a commercial break. At 613, alternate media is provided in place of the skipped commercial. In particular embodiments, the alternate media is an overlay image or logo provided during the commercial break or during regular programming. In other embodiments, the alternate media is a substitute commercial. According to various embodiments, the system tracks the number of skip requests and may only allow a certain number of commercial skips.

FIG. 7 illustrates one example of using neuro-response based feedback for evaluating and selecting alternate media. At 701, stimulus material is provided to multiple subjects. According to various embodiments, stimulus includes streaming video and audio. In particular embodiments, subjects view stimulus in their own homes in group or individual settings. In some examples, verbal and written responses are collected for use without neuro-response measurements. In other examples, verbal and written responses are correlated with neuro-response measurements. At 703, subject neuro-response measurements are collected using a variety of modalities, such as EEG, ERP, EOG, GSR, etc. At 705, data is passed through a data cleanser to remove noise and artifacts that may make data more difficult to interpret. According to various embodiments, the data cleanser removes EEG electrical activity associated with blinking and other endogenous/exogenous artifacts.

According to various embodiments, data analysis is performed. Data analysis may include intra-modality response synthesis and cross-modality response synthesis to enhance effectiveness measures. It should be noted that in some particular instances, one type of synthesis may be performed without performing other types of synthesis. For example, cross-modality response synthesis may be performed with or without intra-modality synthesis.

A variety of mechanisms can be used to perform data analysis. In particular embodiments, a stimulus attributes repository is accessed to obtain attributes and characteristics of the stimulus materials, along with purposes, intents, objectives, etc. In particular embodiments, EEG response data is synthesized to provide an enhanced assessment of effectiveness. According to various embodiments, EEG measures electrical activity resulting from thousands of simultaneous neural processes associated with different portions of the brain. EEG data can be classified in various bands. According to various embodiments, brainwave frequencies include delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency ranges. Delta waves are classified as those less than 4 Hz and are prominent during deep sleep. Theta waves have frequencies between 3.5 to 7.5 Hz and are associated with memories, attention, emotions, and sensations. Theta waves are typically prominent during states of internal focus.

Alpha frequencies reside between 7.5 and 13 Hz and typically peak around 10 Hz. Alpha waves are prominent during states of relaxation. Beta waves have a frequency range between 14 and 30 Hz. Beta waves are prominent during states of motor control, long range synchronization between brain areas, analytical problem solving, judgment, and decision making. Gamma waves occur between 30 and 60 Hz and are involved in binding of different populations of neurons together into a network for the purpose of carrying out a certain cognitive or motor function, as well as in attention and memory. Because the skull and dermal layers attenuate waves in this frequency range, brain waves above 75-80 Hz are difficult to detect and are often not used for stimuli response assessment.

However, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention recognize that analyzing high gamma band (kappa-band: Above 60 Hz) measurements, in addition to theta, alpha, beta, and low gamma band measurements, enhances neurological attention, emotional engagement and retention component estimates. In particular embodiments, EEG measurements including difficult to detect high gamma or kappa band measurements are obtained, enhanced, and evaluated. Subject and task specific signature sub-bands in the theta, alpha, beta, gamma and kappa bands are identified to provide enhanced response estimates. According to various embodiments, high gamma waves (kappa-band) above 80 Hz (typically detectable with subcranial EEG and/or magnetoencephalograophy) can be used in inverse model-based enhancement of the frequency responses to the stimuli.

Various embodiments of the present invention recognize that particular sub-bands within each frequency range have particular prominence during certain activities. A subset of the frequencies in a particular band is referred to herein as a sub-band. For example, a sub-band may include the 40-45 Hz range within the gamma band. In particular embodiments, multiple sub-bands within the different bands are selected while remaining frequencies are band pass filtered. In particular embodiments, multiple sub-band responses may be enhanced, while the remaining frequency responses may be attenuated.

An information theory based band-weighting model is used for adaptive extraction of selective dataset specific, subject specific, task specific bands to enhance the effectiveness measure. Adaptive extraction may be performed using fuzzy scaling. Stimuli can be presented and enhanced measurements determined multiple times to determine the variation profiles across multiple presentations. Determining various profiles provides an enhanced assessment of the primary responses as well as the longevity (wear-out) of the marketing and entertainment stimuli. The synchronous response of multiple individuals to stimuli presented in concert is measured to determine an enhanced across subject synchrony measure of effectiveness. According to various embodiments, the synchronous response may be determined for multiple subjects residing in separate locations or for multiple subjects residing in the same location.

Although a variety of synthesis mechanisms are described, it should be recognized that any number of mechanisms can be applied—in sequence or in parallel with or without interaction between the mechanisms.

Although intra-modality synthesis mechanisms provide enhanced significance data, additional cross-modality synthesis mechanisms can also be applied. A variety of mechanisms such as EEG, Eye Tracking, GSR, EOG, and facial emotion encoding are connected to a cross-modality synthesis mechanism. Other mechanisms as well as variations and enhancements on existing mechanisms may also be included. According to various embodiments, data from a specific modality can be enhanced using data from one or more other modalities. In particular embodiments, EEG typically makes frequency measurements in different bands like alpha, beta and gamma to provide estimates of significance. However, the techniques of the present invention recognize that significance measures can be enhanced further using information from other modalities.

For example, facial emotion encoding measures can be used to enhance the valence of the EEG emotional engagement measure. EOG and eye tracking saccadic measures of object entities can be used to enhance the EEG estimates of significance including but not limited to attention, emotional engagement, and memory retention. According to various embodiments, a cross-modality synthesis mechanism performs time and phase shifting of data to allow data from different modalities to align. In some examples, it is recognized that an EEG response will often occur hundreds of milliseconds before a facial emotion measurement changes. Correlations can be drawn and time and phase shifts made on an individual as well as a group basis. In other examples, saccadic eye movements may be determined as occurring before and after particular EEG responses. According to various embodiments, time corrected GSR measures are used to scale and enhance the EEG estimates of significance including attention, emotional engagement and memory retention measures.

Evidence of the occurrence or non-occurrence of specific time domain difference event-related potential components (like the DERP) in specific regions correlates with subject responsiveness to specific stimulus. According to various embodiments, ERP measures are enhanced using EEG time-frequency measures (ERPSP) in response to the presentation of the marketing and entertainment stimuli. Specific portions are extracted and isolated to identify ERP, DERP and ERPSP analyses to perform. In particular embodiments, an EEG frequency estimation of attention, emotion and memory retention (ERPSP) is used as a co-factor in enhancing the ERP, DERP and time-domain response analysis.

EOG measures saccades to determine the presence of attention to specific objects of stimulus. Eye tracking measures the subject's gaze path, location and dwell on specific objects of stimulus. According to various embodiments, EOG and eye tracking is enhanced by measuring the presence of lambda waves (a neurophysiological index of saccade effectiveness) in the ongoing EEG in the occipital and extra striate regions, triggered by the slope of saccade-onset to estimate the significance of the EOG and eye tracking measures. In particular embodiments, specific EEG signatures of activity such as slow potential shifts and measures of coherence in time-frequency responses at the Frontal Eye Field (FEF) regions that preceded saccade-onset are measured to enhance the effectiveness of the saccadic activity data.

GSR typically measures the change in general arousal in response to stimulus presented. According to various embodiments, GSR is enhanced by correlating EEG/ERP responses and the GSR measurement to get an enhanced estimate of subject engagement. The GSR latency baselines are used in constructing a time-corrected GSR response to the stimulus. The time-corrected GSR response is co-factored with the EEG measures to enhance GSR significance measures.

According to various embodiments, facial emotion encoding uses templates generated by measuring facial muscle positions and movements of individuals expressing various emotions prior to the testing session. These individual specific facial emotion encoding templates are matched with the individual responses to identify subject emotional response. In particular embodiments, these facial emotion encoding measurements are enhanced by evaluating inter-hemispherical asymmetries in EEG responses in specific frequency bands and measuring frequency band interactions. The techniques of the present invention recognize that not only are particular frequency bands significant in EEG responses, but particular frequency bands used for communication between particular areas of the brain are significant. Consequently, these EEG responses enhance the EMG, graphic and video based facial emotion identification.

According to various embodiments, post-stimulus versus pre-stimulus differential measurements of ERP time domain components in multiple regions of the brain (DERP) are measured at 707. The differential measures give a mechanism for eliciting responses attributable to the stimulus. For example the messaging response attributable to an advertisement or the brand response attributable to multiple brands is determined using pre-resonance and post-resonance estimates.

At 709, target versus distracter stimulus differential responses are determined for different regions of the brain (DERP). At 711, event related time-frequency analysis of the differential response (DERPSPs) are used to assess the attention, emotion and memory retention measures across multiple frequency bands. According to various embodiments, the multiple frequency bands include theta, alpha, beta, gamma and high gamma or kappa. At 713, priming levels and resonance for various products, services, and offerings are determined at different locations in the stimulus material. In some examples, priming levels and resonance are manually determined. In other examples, priming levels and resonance are automatically determined using neuro-response measurements. According to various embodiments, video streams are modified with different alternate media based on priming levels and resonance of the video.

At 717, multiple trials are performed to enhance priming and resonance measures. In some examples, stimulus. In some examples, multiple trials are performed to enhance resonance measures.

In particular embodiments, the priming and resonance measures are sent to a priming repository 719. The priming repository 719 may be used to automatically select alternate media.

According to various embodiments, various mechanisms such as the data collection mechanisms, the intra-modality synthesis mechanisms, cross-modality synthesis mechanisms, etc. are implemented on multiple devices. However, it is also possible that the various mechanisms be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software in a single system.

FIG. 8 provides one example of a system that can be used to implement one or more mechanisms. For example, the system shown in FIG. 8 may be used to implement an alternate media system.

According to particular example embodiments, a system 800 suitable for implementing particular embodiments of the present invention includes a processor 801, a memory 803, an interface 811, and a bus 815 (e.g., a PCI bus). When acting under the control of appropriate software or firmware, the processor 801 is responsible for such tasks such as pattern generation. Various specially configured devices can also be used in place of a processor 801 or in addition to processor 801. The complete implementation can also be done in custom hardware. The interface 811 is typically configured to send and receive data packets or data segments over a network. Particular examples of interfaces the device supports include host bus adapter (HBA) interfaces, Ethernet interfaces, frame relay interfaces, cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces, and the like.

According to particular example embodiments, the system 800 uses memory 803 to store data, algorithms and program instructions. The program instructions may control the operation of an operating system and/or one or more applications, for example. The memory or memories may also be configured to store received data and process received data.

Because such information and program instructions may be employed to implement the systems/methods described herein, the present invention relates to tangible, machine readable media that include program instructions, state information, etc. for performing various operations described herein. Examples of machine-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: detecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, a skip request, provided via a user input, to skip a first default commercial presented on a display device; presenting, by executing an instruction with the processor, a first alternate commercial on the display device in response to the skip request, the first alternate commercial being different than the first default commercial; identifying, by executing an instruction with the processor, a number of skip requests during a commercial break segment; and presenting, by executing an instruction with the processor, at least one of a second default commercial or a second alternate commercial without allowing additional skip requests when the identified number of skip requests exceeds a threshold number of skip requests allowable during the commercial break segment.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including: in response to the identified number of skip requests exceeding the threshold number of skip requests, presenting at least one of a third default commercial or a third alternate commercial on the display device until at least one of a threshold number of commercials or a threshold time period associated with the commercial break segment is met.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the presenting of the first alternate commercial includes presenting the first alternate commercial as a partially opaque overlay on video frames presented on the display device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the presenting of the first alternate commercial includes presenting the first alternate commercial as a banner advertisement on the display device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further including: presenting on the display device a menu of a plurality of alternate commercials including the first alternate commercial; and receiving an input selecting the first alternate commercial.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first alternate commercial is a shortened version of the first default commercial.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first alternate commercial is a logo associated with the first default commercial.
 8. An apparatus comprising: a display device to receive a video stream including a program and at least one of a plurality of default commercials or a plurality of alternate commercials to be presented when the program is interrupted during a commercial break segment; and a processor to: present a first default commercial from the plurality of default commercials; detect a skip request to skip the first default commercial presented on the display device; present a first alternate commercial on the display device in response to the skip request, the first alternate commercial being different than the first default commercial; identify a number of skip requests during the commercial break segment; and present at least one of a second default commercial or a second alternate commercial without allowing additional skip requests when the identified number of skip requests exceeds a threshold number of skip requests allowable during the commercial break segment.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is to present at least one of a third default commercial or a third alternate commercial on the display device without allowing additional skip requests until at least one of a threshold number of commercials or a threshold time period associated with the commercial break segment is met.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is to present the first alternate commercial as a partially opaque overlay on video frames presented on the display device.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is to present the first alternate commercial as a banner advertisement on the display device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is to select the first alternate commercial by: presenting a menu of a plurality of alternate commercials including the first alternate commercial; and receiving an input selecting the first alternate commercial.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first alternate commercial is a logo associated with the first default commercial.
 14. A machine readable memory or storage disc comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least: detect a skip request to skip a first default commercial from a plurality of default commercials presented on a display device during a commercial break segment associated with programming to be presented on the display device; present a first alternate commercial from a plurality of alternate commercials on the display device in response to the skip request, the first alternate commercial being different than the first default commercial; identify a number of skip requests during the commercial break segment; and present at least one of a second default commercial or a second alternate commercial without allowing additional skip requests when the identified number of skip requests exceeds a threshold number of allowable skip requests allowable during the commercial break segment.
 15. The machine readable memory or storage disc of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to present at least one of a third default commercial or a third alternate commercial on the display device without allowing skip requests until at least one of a threshold number of commercials or a threshold time period associated with the commercial break segment is met.
 16. The machine readable memory or storage disc of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to present the first alternate commercial as a partially opaque overlay on video frames presented on the display device.
 17. The machine readable memory or storage disc of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to present the first alternate commercial as a banner advertisement on the display device.
 18. The machine readable memory or storage disc of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to: present on the display device a menu of a plurality of alternate commercials including the first alternate commercial; and receive an input selecting the first alternate commercial.
 19. The machine readable memory or storage disc of claim 14, wherein the first alternate commercial is a logo associated with the first default commercial.
 20. The machine readable memory or storage disc of claim 14, wherein the first alternate commercial is a shortened version of the first default commercial. 